Poultry meat production in China up 11%, despite bird flu

Despite outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu (H5N1), poultry meat production in China in 2008 is expected to have increased by 11% compared to 2007, boosted by strong domestic consumption, according to the European Market Survey.
In 2008, China reportedly imported 4% more fresh and frozen poultry meat, with import demand particularly high in the second and third quarters, driven by increased trade arising from the summer Olympics. The United States maintained its position as primary poultry producer, increasing its market share to 73%, up seven percentage points on 2007.
Supplies from Argentina were also higher as it capitalized on the absence of Brazilian product.Frozen chicken cuts accounted for 95% of all the fresh and frozen poultry meat imported in 2008, of which 57% was in the form of chicken feet, says the European Market Survey.